Pension Scammers Target People Who Want To Avoid IHT

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993687#Comment_81993687

Or spend it on yourself.

GDB2222

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993499#Comment_81993499

One of the reasons why life expectancy is so high in Japan is pensions fraud. Don’t report granny dying. Put her body in the freezer, and carry on drawing her pension.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993710#Comment_81993710

I initially thought you were repeating what might, at best, be a tall tale but the first result when I searched returned this article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11258071

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993717#Comment_81993717

Not on this scale, but the LGPS (and probably other public sector pension schemes) has several cases of ... Granny has her pension paid into a joint account with another family member, to make it easier for said family member to pay her bills/do her shopping. Granny dies, and family member 'forgets' to tell the LGPS.

horsewithnoname

if you’ve enough money to be liable for IHT, here’s an idea - let your estate pay it! You’ll be dead and beyond worrying about it.
If you would rather your heirs had it, give them now.
Not a bad problem to have in the grand scheme of things

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993687#Comment_81993687

Or large charitable donations .

QQQQQQQQ_Y

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993773#Comment_81993773

How does this compare with pension fraud for state pensions or private sector pension fraud?

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995414#Comment_81995414

Sadly, probably on a par.

QQQQQQQQ_Y

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995434#Comment_81995434

Most of the cases recently where there has been a failure to carry out a lawful burial relate to undertakers not carrying out their duties - and there does seem to be a need for a review of this as the problems seem to be widespread (i.e. in various parts of the country) and ongoing - no doubt causing deep distress to the families who have entrusted them with this duty, as well as understandable offence to the local communities.

There are occasionally other cases which seem to be mostly related to hiding a crime (e.g. murder after a pattern of domestic abuse), or individuals who have clearly got mental health issues. No doubt there are some fraud-related cases but I suspect they are very few.

MarzipanCrumble

Death records are open to the public. I really cannot understand why these are not available as a daily download to all public services and also private firms. There obviously should be a 'death services department' with appropriate (sensitive) policies etc to deal with upset/taking advantage relatives.

Cleansing NHS records with deaths - done this, seen the problems - faulty data, mispelt names, persons dying abroad, to name but a few. However with AI …… and doing it will cut costs (and waiting lists).